Use Bible for moral teachings, not predictions

The first of the year felt frigid, particularly after a December that felt like mild springtime weather. Forecasters called for a big winter storm and they got it right. Many of us are still digging out to some extent. Still, the unpredictability of weather forecasts leaves many of us shaking our heads. It reminds me of the equally poor use the Bible is put to as a forecaster of world events.

Too many folks it seems to me want to use the Bible as a means of foretelling future events, in particular those that forecast the end of time. People read the Book of Revelation this way, and consequently it is quoted and distorted by countless movies and television programs that deal with themes relating to angels, demons, the antichrist and the beginning of the end. This tends to come of a poor understanding of Revelation as apocalyptic literature: it is apocalyptic, but it shouldn't be read as predicting the future.

Revelation's symbolism doesn't always fare well applied to current events, and its geopolitical warnings—wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and the like—are too vague and characterize every age of human history. As far as gauging today's proximity to Christ's return, the Bible isn't helpful at all. This accounts for the plethora of modern day, and former, prophets who are always wrong about where the world stands in relation to the Second Coming.

I imagine this yearning to know for certain when Christ's predicted return will occur comes of some kind of deep anxiety. Nearly 2000 years ago Paul believed it would happen any day, which explains why he felt like Christians should not bother getting married. What would be the point, with Jesus's return so imminent? And 2000 years later there is no shortage of churches whose outlook is still deeply influenced by the conviction that Jesus will return any day now.

I realize it makes for good business, but to me focusing so much on what the Bible seems to say about the end of time is like claiming the thumb is the seat of human understanding. It's silly and misses the point. Even Jesus, when pressed, admits he has no idea when his return is scheduled to occur.

The Bible is vastly more than its scant and not helpful passages about the Second Coming or the end of the world. I love it because of its pragmatic, realistic and frankly gritty views of humanity. The Bible understands us better than we do. And it portrays us as we are. It refuses to turn away from the reality of human suffering, but confronts it and struggles to make sense of it as much as we do.

I've read other scripture that almost sanitizes its heroes and leading figures, so that they come out looking like no one any of us has ever met or likely would ever want to meet. By contrast, the Bible's leading figures are all marred, full of frailties and foibles, quirks and oddities. Even Jesus, star of the Christian Bible, cannot escape the scrutiny and realism of the biblical writers. He makes mistakes, has prejudices, and gets predictions wrong.

The Bible is an unusual conglomeration of inspiration, penetrating human understanding, and profound lessons on the relationship between humankind and its Maker that ultimately showcases God's love of people and God's grace. It contains a wealth of moral teachings and sage guidance relevant for thousands of years. These remain the best reasons to read it.

- Bowles is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and serves as pastor of Grace UCC in Lebanon.